On August 12th, a warehouse explosion in Tianjin, China killed 150 people and injured more than 700 while doing millions worth of damage to the surrounding area. A group of community members in Seattle gathered on August 23rd to pay respects with poetry, music, and a moment of silence.

From the Facebook event page…

“Please join us in honoring and mourning the lives lost in the devastating Tianjin explosions this last week. The death toll is now 200 and thousands have become homeless. Over 700 people are injured and too many are missing. This memorial is hosted by the Asian Pacific Rim Solidarity Network (PARISOL). We seek to raise awareness of the deeply harmful social and environmental impacts of this disaster and be in solidarity with those impacted. Everyone is welcome to join. We ask that this space be held with respect and in safety as people grieve. Please feel free to bring candles, incense, flowers, poetry, and words to share.

Video of explosion on Wednesday, investigation of chemicals that were released
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-33923478

Summary of explosions and impact
http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/15/asia/china-tianjin-explosions/

JOIN US FOR DISCUSSION:

-What is needed to prevent another disaster like this?

-How can folks in the US support people in China who were impacted? How can we support Chinese workers rights and labor organizing?

PARISOL is a Chinese/Chinese-diaspora organization for revolutionary international solidarity. We stand for worker’s power from the Foxconn factories in Shenzhen to Seattle restaurant kitchens where Chinese people are exploited for profit. We are dedicated to challenging anti-black racism in Chinese communities and creating meaningful Chinese/African-American solidarity relationships. All power to the people!“

On Saturday, August 8th, activists from the Black Lives Matter movement seized an opportunity to disrupt the status quo and interrupted a speech being given by Bernie Sanders. During their time on the microphone, they criticized liberal Seattle for hiding it’s racism. In what seems a partial response to the interruption, activists with the Localize This! Action Camp in coordination with the Backbone Campaign, brought a 15ft inflatable elephant covered with a banner reading “RACISM”, living room furniture complete with coffee table and literature on racism, and a flip board with scenes depicting institutionalized and systemic racism and the intersections of education and climate change. They also handed out pamphlets and engaged in conversation anyone willing to discuss the topic of racism. Scans of the pamphlets can be found below.

Scan of the pamphlet

From the Facebook event page…

“You are invited to participate in a public interactive art installation to expose racism as the “elephant in the room”. This event will take place on Monday beginning at 11:00 am at Westlake Park in Seattle.

We are a collection of activists who are from the Pacific Northwest and around the country. We created this installation in collaboration with the Backbone Campaign Localize This Action Camp.

We are responding to recent events of racism and to a request from people of color. We have been asked to educate ourselves in order to see racism, then take actions to end racism.

As a group, we are predominantly white activists who are looking inwards and reaching out to our peers to join us in this action. We are challenging ourselves and others to commit to taking one concrete step towards racial justice and to share our challenge.” – https://www.facebook.com/events/1475893819399252/

Hundreds gathered at Seattle Central College in Seattle to march in solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations occurring around the country in memory of Michael Brown on the one year anniversary of his death. After listening to several speakers the march proceeded through Capitol Hill, the Central District, and back, blocking intersections as those who felt compelled to speak did so. The first stop along the march route was the Seattle Police Department East Precinct at 12th and Pine where SPD blocked the sidewalk around the building and SPD vehicles parked on the street. Several more intersections were encircled along the route and people of color were encouraged to take the megaphone and express their beliefs and concerns. While SPD maintained a heavy presence on bicycles and following the demonstration in vehicles, no arrests were made.

As the sun warmed the Alaskan Airlines Center at UW, 12,000 people packed themselves into the warm venue and 3,000 listened outside as Bernie Sanders, presidential candidate and Vermont Senator took the stage. He was warmly received by the audience and spoke for over an hour on issues ranging from economic injustice, racial inequality, jobs and climate change. He also spoke at length on issues of reforming Wall Street and getting money out of politics. Sanders also made vows to fight for single payer, universal health care and free four year higher education.

More about Bernie Sanders can be found at… https://berniesanders.com/

An estimated 3,000 people gathered in Westlake Park on Saturday, August 8th, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Social Security and the 50th anniversary of Medicare. Speakers included the president of the Seattle chapter of the NAACP Gerald Hankerson, Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, Congressional Representative Adam Smith, WA State Senator Pramila Jayapal, and Vermont Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

As Bernie Sanders took the stage, two activists proceeded to also take the stage. After confronting Bernie Sanders and the organizers, the activists were given the microphone and allowed to speak. The two women, affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement in Seattle, called for four and a half minutes of silence to reflect on the death of Michael Brown, on the eve of the one year anniversary of his death. Boo’s and jeers rained down on the activists for interrupting Bernie Sanders while some in the crowd could be heard shouting “let her speak!”. As the crowd continued shouting, the activists replied they would shut the event down if they were not heard. The activists welcomed Sanders to Seattle and explained the issues they were fighting for. At the end of the moment of silence, the microphone was handed to Bernie Sanders, but he handed it back to the organizers and refused to speak. Sanders then left the stage and entered the crowd to shake hands. Sanders spoke at an election event that drew 12,000+ at the University of Washington later that evening.

The Bernie Sanders website was adjusted in the early hours of August 9th to reflect his stance on the issue of racial justice. The addition can be found here…https://berniesanders.com/issues/racial-justice/

Additional articles from women of color can be found here…

http://seattleglobalist.com/2015/08/09/bernie-sanders-black-lives-matter-race-divide-in-seattle/40394

and here…

http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/08/09/22671957/guest-editorial-why-saturdays-bernie-sanders-rally-left-me-feeling-heartbroken

As the gates to Safeco Field opened for the Mariners vs. Angels game, thousands of fans streamed past a rally held near Century Link Field in protest of oil trains that pass the stadiums on a daily basis. Seattle City Council Member Kshama Sawant spoke at the rally and joined the demonstration as they marched from Century Link to Safeco in a silent procession holding photos and names of the 47 people who died in Lac-Mégantic Quebec during an oil train explosion in 2013.

Safeco Field and Century Link Field both sit within 200 yards of a rail line that sees several trains pulling the same Baaken Crude that exploded in Lac-Mégantic. The same rails carry Baaken laden trains through a tunnel that sit directly beneath downtown Seattle, including the King County Administration Building, Benaroya Hall, and Pike Place Market, not to mention several hotels and businesses and the thousands of people downtown at any given moment.

From the Facebook event page…

“On July 11th at 5:30 pm at 656 Occidental Way, join us to stop oil trains in Seattle!

On July 6, 2013, an oil train exploded in Lac Megantic, Quebec, killing 47 people. Two years later, and big oil is pushing harder than ever to move more and more oil trains through North America, while oil trains keep exploding, and carbon emissions keep rising.

The new US Department of Transportation rules on oil train safety will not protect the 25 million Americans who live in the oil train blast zone, because there is NO safe way to transport extreme tar sands and Bakken crude.

Attendees please wear black. The rally will begin at 5:30PM to be followed by a processional (an 8 minute walk) to Safeco Field. We will perform a die in or silent, standing vigil in front of Safeco Field representing the 47 lives lost in the Quebec tragedy.

Please arrive by 5:15PM if you are willing to hold a sign or prop during the event. There will be music, voices from labor and front-line communities and a vision of a fossil free future.

No more exploding trains. No more Bakken oil or tar sands. Join our event on July 11th!

We will meet at 656 Occidental Ave South (next to Century Link Field parking lot).

Host Contact Info: davidperk@comcast.net or holmeskatherine@hotmail.com” – Seattle Oil Train Rally and Vigil

More than 100 activists and union supporters joined together with Unite Here Local 8 workers and union members to picket and persuade possible occupants to boycott the Hyatt. While the majority of activists continued a picket of the Grand Hyatt, a small group broke off and began a picket at the Olive 8, a new location for demonstrations in Seattle.

From the Unite Here Local 8 press release…

“Workers and community supporters continue to support Hyatt workers in a rally and picket line in front of the Grand Hyatt Seattle. Please join us!

When: Wednesday, July 8, 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Where: Grand Hyatt Seattle, 721 Pine Street

Background:

Workers at the Grand Hyatt at the Hyatt at Olive 8 called for a boycott in August 2013, and it is still gaining momentum in the community. So far, seven customers have moved events out of the Seattle Hyatts, the most recent being Lake Washington Girls Middle School. The Middle School moved within days of their event to support workers. The city-wide convention of the Specialty Coffee Association of America has altered plans to support the boycott. In addition, over 20 state representatives and senators and over 30 non-profits and community groups have endorsed the boycott.

After years of struggling for dignity and respect on the job, workers have called for a fair process to form a union. In July of 2013, UNITE HERE and Hyatt Hotels at the corporate level reached a national agreement on such a process, which has gone forward at other Hyatts in the U.S. So far, the local owner of the Grand Hyatt Seattle and Hyatt at Olive 8 has refused to implement the agreed elections process in Seattle.”

Duwamish Chairperson Cecile Hansen speaks to the press and those concerned for Native rights who have gathered at the Duwamish Longhouse in Seattle to decry the Bureau of Indian Affair’s decision that the Duwamish tribe did not meet the federal guidelines for tribal recognition. While the Duwamish did receive recognition in 2001, it was since rescinded. The Duwamish were some of the first people in the Puget Sound area and Seattle’s name was take from the Chief of the Duwamish, Chief Sealth. Cecile Hansen reminded that group that “We are still here” and Ken Workman, of the Duwamish, performed Chief Seattle’s Thunder Song . Members of other tribes were in attendance and promised continued respect and recognition in addition to performing songs important to them.

From the press release…

“Immediate Release, Seattle, WA

DUWAMISH TRIBE—We Are Still Here

The Duwamish Tribe responds to the July 2^nd Bureau of Indian Affairs determination against tribal recognition.

Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe has never abandoned its tribal relations. We are the Duwamish Tribe that signed the Point Elliot Treaty.  We will continue to fight on.

There is ample precedence for the federal recognition of Point Elliot Treaty historic tribes in addition to the reservations–the historic Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Samish and Snoqualmie Tribes have all been acknowledged since the 1970’s.

We find it disingenuous that the Bureau has labeled the Duwamish Tribe as a new 1925 organization in their attempt to create the scenario that we are not the continuing tribe.  The Duwamish organized under a written constitution in 1925 to be more powerful in perusing its tribal rights. The Clinton administration recognized this change as evidence of tribal continuity in its 2001 positive determination of the Duwamish Tribe.   The Clinton Administration reviewed the petition under the fundamental tenet of Federal Indian Law that statues and regulations enacted for the benefit of Indian Tribes are to be interpreted in their favor.

Does the BIA know us?  They appear to be clueless.  We will probably never get the original hard copy of this decision.  The Bureau of Indian Affairs is apparently mailing the decision to an old Burien address we have not been at for 10 years.   The BIA is ignoring the obvious–We are still here and thriving at the Duwamish Longhouse.

The following is the heartfelt statement of Duwamish Tribal Chairperson Cecile Hansen.  Cecile– a great, great, great, grandniece of Chief Seattle–has been the Duwamish Tribal Chairwoman for 40 years.

“In the eyes and mind of our people, the Duwamish Tribe does exist.  We are extremely disappointed (yet again) in the BIA’s “dehumanizing” decision to do away with our existence according to the rulings that were made in the past.

Please check the history of all Washington Tribes who sought to be recognized by the BIA since the 70’s and are now considered to be legitimate tribes.  There is room for us all.  Unfortunately, the task of conquering the process of proving our own existence has eluded the Duwamish despite our long history dating back thousands of years.  

Chief Seattle’s Duwamish people were friendly to the first pioneers and city fathers.  We sacrificed our land to make the City of Seattle a beautiful reality.  We are still waiting for our justice. 

 The Duwamish Tribe completed the first regulations and endured the long, long, long waiting period receiving (2) preliminary negative determinations over the years.  Finally, we succeeded and were recognized by the Clinton Administration in 2001, to only have it taken away by President Bush eight months later.  Under this appeal process, we have again been denied our rightful place in the history of Seattle.  Is all complete in the business of the total genocide of the Duwamish People ~ the people of Chief Sealth for whom our great city is named?

SHAME ON THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS!”

Contact:

Cecile Hansen, Duwamish Tribal Chairperson

Office Phone:  206-431-1582

Duwamish Tribe denied federal recognition, Seattle Times, July 3, 2015

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/puget-sound/duwamish-tribe-denied-federal-recognition/

BIA July 2, 2015 letter to Cecile Hansen

http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/text/idc1-030828.pdf

July 2, 2015 Summary Judgement Against the Duwamish Tribal Organization

http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/text/idc1-030830.pdf

2/22/2013 Motion to Remand Duwamish Petition for Reconsideration

https://turtletalk.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/dct-order-granting-hansen-motion.pdf

Duwamish Tribal Recognition Act, H. R. 2176This bill was assigned to a congressional committee on April 30, 2015, I114th CONGRESS, 1st Session

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr2176/text

Written Testimony of Michael Anderson….July 15, 2009

http://www.westseattleherald.com/sites/robinsonpapers.com/files/Testimony%20of%20M%20Anderson%20for%20%20%27Legislative%20Hearing%20on%20H%20R%20%202678%27%20copy.pdf“

There was standing room only at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle as hundreds packed the muggy hall to hear words of praise and encouragement and messages of peace from local clergy and city leaders. The deaths of nine bible study members at the hands of a white supremacist terrorist hit very close to home for many and controversy over confederate flags and the burning of 7 black churches in the South stirred emotions and raised righteous anger. After the brief rally, demonstrators gathered outside and began the march, stopping at Mt. Calvary for a small rally and water break. After making their way to MLK Jr. Park, demonstrators gathered for another rally with music and additional messages from local clergy.

“Violence against and upon Black People must be stopped. The blind hatred toward People of Color has to come to an end. The extension of genocide that is being done to our people through mass incarceration; gentrification; police brutality; and vigilante violence is wrong, unethical, and anti-American. If we cannot feel safe in our own churches and homes, then where can we feel safe” – ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER: Solidarity March’ Facebook event

Nearly 1000 workers and supporters of SEIU gathered at the Swedish Hospital on First Hill in Seattle to picket understaffed hospitals and worsening healthcare. According to Swedish First Hill workers, three months of negotiations have brought them less than favorable health insurance, with high deductibles and high costs of office visits, leaving some in debt to the same institutions where they provide health care to the public.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray spoke to the crowd, promising his support, “I want to join you in calling for a swift, fair resolution to this labor dispute, and any new contract…must demonstrate the same level of care to your employees as you show your patients…a new contract must ensure that those who work in a hospital have access to affordable health care.”

Joining Mayor Murray were Seattle City Council Members Kshama Sawant, Mike O’Brien, Bruce Harell, Jean Godden, and King County Council Members Larry Gossett and Rod Debowski who all spoke in support of the nurses, healthcare workers, and hospital staff who joined the picket for a continuation of the same quality insurance they had before Providence took over Swedish Hospitals.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators protested understaffed shifts and poor health insurance around the region before joining together for a major picket against Providence/Swedish on First Hill. Protestors lined both sides of Broadway and received countless honks and waves in support of the picket. Pat O’Brien is a Post Partum Charge Nurse and has worked at Swedish First Hill for 36 years, “We have some things on the table that talk about safe staffing, a decent living wage, and better insurance…”. After twelve sessions (or three months) of sitting at the bargaining table, the negotiators have refused to listen to the proposals set forward by SEIU Healthcare workers.

From the Facebook event page…

“Swedish-Providence made $110 million in profit in 2014 and Providence paid its CEO $1.9 million in 2013. It can afford good care and good jobs but would rather make its CEO rich and bank a huge profit.

Nurses and healthcare workers are speaking out because we need more staffing to give our patients the care they need. Caregivers, some of whom are in collections to Swedish-Providence for care we received in the hospital where we work, need relief from our high healthcare costs. And we need an investment in our work that allows us to support our families rather than fall behind.

We’ll picket at Edmonds, Ballard, Issaquah, First Hill, Cherry Hill, Redmond, Mill Creek from 12 noon – 2pm on July 1 and then end the day with a big rally and picket at First Hill from 4-6:30pm.

We are standing up for good care, good jobs, and access for all at Swedish-Providence. Join us!

www.careforseattle.com” – Rally & Picket for Good Care and Good Jobs at Swedish-Providence